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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/CRIME/03/29/massachusetts.bullying.suicide/story.phoebe.prince.wwlp.jpg caption="Phoebe Prince, who had recently moved from Ireland, committed suicide on January 14 in Northhampton, Massachusetts."]
Teens indicted in alleged bullying death
(CNN) – Nine Massachusetts teenagers have been charged with involvement in a months-long campaign of bullying that led to the suicide in January of a 15-year-old girl, a prosecutor said Monday.
Phoebe Prince's body was found hanging in the stairway leading to her family's second-floor apartment in South Hadley, Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel told reporters in the western Massachusetts town of Northampton.
"It appears that Phoebe's death on January 14 followed a torturous day for her when she was subjected to verbal harassment and physical abuse," she said.
Earlier in the day, Prince had been harassed as she studied in the library at South Hadley High School, apparently in the presence of a faculty member and several students, none of whom reported it until after the death, Scheibel said. FULL STORY
California Republican returning RNC money after racy club visit
(CNN) – A California-based political consultant who charged the Republican National Committee nearly $2,000 for a night out at Voyeur – a risque West Hollywood nightclub now at center of the latest controversy surrounding RNC chairman Michael Steele – will return the money to the party, a committee spokesman told CNN Monday.
Erik Brown, president of the Orange County-based Dynamic Marketing, Inc., was re-imbursed in February for $1,946.25 worth of charges at the nightclub, according to the RNC's latest filing with the Federal Election Commission. FULL STORY
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As the only Irish lad growing up in a Polish neighborhood in the 1960's, I was bullied both in school and on the streets. Considering that the bullies were popular sports jocks, the teachers turned the other way. My father's answer was to enroll me in a karate school and eventually the bullies discovered that their prey could fight back. It was quite embarrassing to have the star quarterback humbled by a seemingly timid teenager.
Unfortunately, school staff and administrators today were probably afraid that they would be sued or suspended if they interfered or even reprimanded the bullies.
This child wasn't Irish. She was English – living in Ireland.
From Grade 6 to 11 my life was a living hell while in school. Every single day I was called a squaw or any other derogatory comment you can think of associated with being percieved as a North American Indian. The school and teachers knew, they did nothing. My last day of school was half way through the 11th grade, another male student tossed a quarter at me and told to give him oral sex...I knew I'd never go back again and I didn't. It ended years and years of abuse, verbal abuse as well as sexual touching and personal property being defaced or destroyed. I told my parents I'd rather be dead then spend one more day of my life like that, I meant every word I said....it's been over 30 years and my soul is still scared from those days. Its wrong, it's illegal and it can devastate your life, what will it take to end this?
Did I mention we are Irish too....These people have no idea what they are in for from this child's family and extended irish family. I have no doubt that all involved will be held accountable.
"A California-based political consultant who charged the Republican National Committee nearly $2,000 for a night out at Voyeur" = nothing new there CNN..we know Government has been screwing with us for years. Just another night on the job for them is it not.
Dale was right on. The traditional reaction is to somehow blame the victim. I highly recommend "Schools where everyone belongs" as an excellent read on the subject. We won't get too far as long as there is bullying amount the school staff though.
Demoralized? ... lol... you give yourself WAY too much credit. When all is said and done .. it was a choice that she decided to make for herself.
Kiran...heard you read a few off..I think this goes with Alina's piece on EQ as well. These kids are the most emotional generation brought forward thus far in a schoolyard becoming meaner and uncontrollable by the actions unfolding. Parents and teachers need to learn and do more and with this neural net we call the internet developing much is coming at our children at one time which can become over whelming for many.
Melon: The point is not whether suicide is a sin (which, by the way, only seems to matter to you). The issue that should be addressed (and seems to be touching many people here) is that of the climate of intolerance and pressure to conform that so many kids have to deal with today.
Good Morning,
I am post polio was bullied by others because of the way I walked and because of my southern accent from NC, I stood my ground, I slammed a guy in High school up against the lockers because he stuck his leg out to trip me as if I didn't have enough problems being post polio. This is not the correct way, but I nipped it in the bud right then and there, too much time lapses and situations get worse. I stood my ground, and today it has made me a better person all around stronger, and no one gets in my way ! I am now 57 still dealing with people starring at me when I walk it's down right rude, but I'm the BETTER PERSON ON THIS EARTH FOR IT !
I have raised two children with disabilities. My 30 year old son still remembers the humiliation and horrors he suffereed at the hands of school bullies. All that while struggling with a rare disorder and surgeries. The school administartors don't care, they never will.We even tried Catholic school, that was worse and they protected the bullies and wanted my medical special needs son out. So much for morality. Oh, BYW... my 15 year old has a brown belt
Melon, do you have a favorite pet?
I know very much of this type of cases. School may harm so much a kid that it is unimaginable. The school has the most responsibility, as it should identify any of these from happening and take effective action. Once a child or kid is spoiled, his or her whole life will be a burden and very difficult to live to. To get someone go and kill herself is out far beyond bullying, it is itself as cruel as commiting a murder. Poor kiddo, God Bless her! This case should be deeply analyzed, so that corrective and preventive action or legislation is implemented and enforced across all schools, colleges and universities across America.
@Margret yes I do believe us as adults has a lot to do with it and yes I feel our political climate has a lot to do with it. When our leaders spit at people over healthcare reform that is trying to help people, when our leaders break windows and call people the N-word also over healthcare..when people threaten to take this country back with violence, when people like Rush, Glen Beck, Ann Caulter and even some on the left like Bill Maher talk to each other with such hate, spread miscommunication and fear tactics...yes our kids think it is acceptable because hey,,if the adults are not being held accountable and becoming popular for their behavior and they are because they get ratings....so the the kids think it is acceptable to behave in such spiteful, hateful and cruel ways.
Regarding a post which was just read "on the air" commenting about teachers not backing the students...the administration(s) do not back the teacher for fear of litigation! Thus, once again liability and the twisted, long arm of the insurance companies dictate to how things are done in this country!
Melon, please tell us something about yourself.
I went to high school in South Hadley, MA and am completely embarrassed and ashamed of my hometown. Even when I was there (1997 – 2002) people were bullied and harassed and no significant actions were ever taken. If the popular group decided to go against you, your life became miserable. I can only hope this horrific situation will serve as a wake up call for an otherwise sleepy small town in Western Massachusetts.
Just another example of Republican hypocrisy. Did he pretend to be a nice Christian when he tried to explain? The GOP has become the toilet of non-truths.
watching my grand daughter cry does not mean she has a mental problem, it means that she has feelings that can get hurt!!! she has cerebal palsy.
Melon, do you like to go fishing?
Melon, you have National attention now, we want to get to know you.
Thanks guys melon should be demoralized throughout all your viewers.
What does believing or not believing in a mythological figure have to do with this child committing suicide? Or for that matter going to "Church"? It's obvious she she wasn't a very religious person. Suicide is a mortal sin.
Melon, do you have close friends?
@David, Ron, Melon – John and Kiran just read your comments on the show. Keep up the good discussion everyone. We'll read some more comments in the 8 a.m hour.
The parents of these "kids", acting as uneducated, unparented adults should be part of this problem, since they don't seem to be part of the solution!!!!! Same with the "educators"; aren't they supposed to be "helping" raise these people with the parents? Don't they ever communicate with the parents? This isn't happening only here, but throughout this country. If we continue raising kids this way, we're doomed to destruction!!!!!.
@melon one insult on the internet is not the same of days and days, months and months of abuse physically, emotionally and sexually,find out your e-mail address and hijacking it and spreading your private messages to others, or stalking you when ever you leave your home. It is not the same thing and you know it. You do not fear for your life and your sanity because of Dan from Indiana..LOL.
Regarding the Steele imbroglio: I really wish the Republican party would stop feigning a puritanical attitude towards sex and sexuality. Has anyone been paying attention? It's ironic that a party that lauds itself on morality, "family values," and "the sanctity of marriage" has so many members who have been caught with their pants down around their knees . . .
Melon, do you pray?
You carried the story that the latest CNN poll showed Obama's approval rating had gone up to 52% since the passing of the health care bill. Your poll seems to agree with most other polls around the nation. However, that news is about a week late. Most other polls (including Gallop) are showing that his approval ratings have gone back down to their normal levels. Once again CNN uses the news to further their own agenda. KEEP YOUR NEW CURRENT.
Melon, do you have children?
see? as i read the comments on here, people are arguing with each otherand dont even know who that person is. we all can have an opinion, but enough with the name calling, it gets really old!!!!!!
@Melon I am sorry you lack compassion or have empathy for another human beings suffering. We each have our tolerance in handling pain and suffering inflicted by others. Yours may be greater and you may have more stamina to blow off abuse. You may have never experienced this kind of severe abuse yourself so you have a hard time looking at it from her point of view. Just because people being abusive toward you does not bother you and does not cause you to think suicidal things doesn't mean other people can cope. You may have been brought up in a home that taught these skills who knows but I do not from your comments again two things you lack compassion and empathy. I hope you find it some day.
I am probably twice your age and lived most of my life in Chicago, Melon and yes Hitler who also believed that a certain kind of people where better than others!
Melon, do you go to Church?
First my sincere condolences to the family of this beautiful child. I grew up on the Jersey Shore in the 60's & 70's. From the time I entered kindergarten till I quit high school to save my life I was abused verbally,physically,mentally.I was called all manner of names and taunted continually for being a good student. I was called spic, nigger because of my skin color. I was followed home and taunted from a distance then it escalated into physical violence hit then hit with boards, tripped in school lines. Rumor started about me. Tricks played on me. When I reached high school the death threats started even foll0wed me to my after school burger joint job where if I worked the register these "kids" would under the breath place an order & threaten to kill me at the same time. My aunt who raised me from 3 months of age was no help she had her own issues.she started to become progressively abusive to me after the death of her son. When I was 8 I came running home crying because of the ethnic slurs I had been called, she told me"it's alright you are mostly white" I would in the bathtub try to scrub my skin white. So at age 16 as I was getting abused at school & home I left home & quit school & moved into a boarding house to save my life
Through some twists & turns I achieved my goals of helping others I became an RN at age 25after obtaining a GED and college.
These "children" who abused this girl should experience for a short time the pain & agony of name calling they should then be placed in many hours of community service where they are helping severely handicapped children they should have an ongoing therapeutic support to help them recover from this hate so they may become loving & kind in service to others we learn love
This is horrific! As a parent this would be a nightmare that would never end. Who do you blame? Can you forgive? Did you miss any signs? What could you have done? The staff at the school obviously missed something. Did they intentionally dismiss that activities because they condoned them? Were they busy? Was what was said something that seemed more like banter between teens? It is difficult. What were the intentions of the students involved? Could they have fathomed that such a thing could happen? These questions can somehow be attempted because the people are still here to be accountable. The rest we have to guess because a young life was taken because she could no longer deal with what was going on in her life. Don't you wish we had that information? What she was experiencing on a regular basis and what she was going through as a result of it? That would help us.
Don't you think our current political climate is sending the wrong message? Look at the adult bullies in our political system. Wake up people!!! We are creating our own monsters. Adults cannot walk away from this or other situations like with clean hands. At the risk of sounding Clintonlike, it takes a village! Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
Who's to blame?: All of us.
So ... Dan... if I was to kill myself because you just verbally abused me on the internet .. you should go to prison?
Melon, do you believe in God?
sorry, mistake. i ment nevada.lol the hatred bus lol. hatred is everywhere these days. just turn on the tv and sit and listen. unbelievable!!!!!!!
Dan... typical thinking of a person from Indiana.... Hitler?.... lol.... silly child and the rest of your spew isn't worth a comment.
My wife, adult daughter and I are all Facebook friends with our school age daughter just so we can monitor what is said by her and her friends. Twice we have quietly notified the parents of two kids who had inappropriate posts. One of those times was cyber-bullying. If your kid won't be Facebook friends with you, then they are hiding something.
This type of bullying and uncaring attitude of American teens is a glimpse into the problems with American family life.
Children learn much of this in the home and in the evironment they live. We must challenge parents to be better, while trying to improve the communities in which we live.
Our country's attitude toward God is the main reason for this type of problem.
You media folks feed the frenzy because you are too much of a "get people excited" show". You are not a news organization....far from it.
Ron
Melon you are mentally unstable if you think that these punks do not deserve any condemnation for what they've done to this girl! You must think let the weak die and the strong live, some kind of Hitler ideology!
I lost a son in 2007 to suicide,Parents,teachers,and the public as a whole need to relize the times they are a changing,use to be confined to just haressement at school,now with E-Mail,texting,and cell phones it follow's kids no matter wher they go and parents need to learn the warning sign.
The first thing that needs to be done, get rid of all the faculty members that knew and did nothing! How could they stand by and let this happen! Hurray for the two that stepped in and at least tried, but did'nt know what to do.
i have walked past kyds in school and been tpipped by kyds that dont even know who i am. children arent being raised to respect anyone anymore. so different than when i was gowing up.
I am so surprised of what is going on with these kids these days at school, we may need to come up with turoring in manners and respect. Put God again in school and things will change, take out God and everything goes wrong. i figured!! it does not that a scientist to figure this out. thanks
I can't believe this, the bully going to jail? That is insane the kid should have either went to another school or just simply toughen up!!
The parents of those teens involved in this bullying, the school officials and the teens themselves should all be held responsible for their actions in this. We have stood by too long an allowed this kind of thing to happen in our schools over and over again. We see it now in the media, allowing fellow Americans to spit on Government Officials, People not even afraid to carry signs with obvious hateful racists images, including veiled threats against our own President. We have shown our children that it's okay to act like this and get away with it. If you see someone doing something hateful to another person...we should DO something about it!
It's about time. Bullies deserve to go to jail. Teachers and administrators who turn a blind eye to it deserve to be punished along with them.
something already has happened to the nine children!!!!! this kind of behaviour needs to stop!!!! now, they are paying for there actiouns in a big way.god bless all of them. they just dont know what there actions have done until its too late! we need some big laws to stop this kind of heartache from happening.
You guys are missing a great opportunity to educate America about Capitalism. I love the freedom in our system, but many do not understand it.
The banks have taken advantage of us, but they have been doing that for years!!
Congressmen/women have been in the pockets of the banks and today, due to a poor economy, everyone is finally taking note.
Use your show to teach many Americans who do not have a clue how their government functions.
Thank you for reading this.
Ron
Parents need to stop elevating pcs to a level of babysitting their kids and be more involved in their kids lives. If every parent would just do their part this sort of tragedy wouldn't happen.
Bullied to death..listening to Kiran interviewing a person on the subject and after hearing the list of events that were unfolding around this girl at the school level why did the school not intervene at the onset of this bullying action and why was it allowed to grow within the school system to a point where a life was taken. A failed educational system on so many levels is it not.
How do you know she wasn't mentally unstable BEFORE? Suicide is never an option. You're ASSUMING the "bullying" is the direct cause. There is no evidence of that.
i bought a house I could afford. Not a house that I wanted. now the gov. is going to help people with the house they should not have gotten. but i get to pay for my house because I an responsible
parents are more responsible for there childrens actions in what they teach at home. my grand daughter has been bullied most of her school yrs. hatred is being sread all over arizona as we speak!!!!! can you believe that hatred even has its own bus? hmmmmm. it is just so sad, all of it.
I have several friends that work for the post office. According to them if mail goes to 5 days a week we will still get mail on saturday. Tuesday is the day we would not receive mail. Tuesday is the lightest day for mail delivery.
@ melon, do you have a heart? This young girl was physically and mentally abused by peers who also do not have a heart! Where is your morality?
@melon how do you know she was mentally unstable BEFORE the emotional abuse? The abuse is the direct cause for her mentally breaking apart. Your right she owns some of the responsibility. Responsibility is a pie. You don't dole it completely out on her and not completely out on the bullies but guess what the bullies are the only ones left standing to be held responsible for this tragedy. There are many responsible here. Parents for not hearing, teachers for not listening, friends for not defending her, family for not acting quicker and harder, principle for not caring, the kids for bullying and yes she made the ultimate choice to end it all because no one helped her when she was drowing. She couldn't handle bowling ball after bowling ball of people not hearing her, not taking her seriously attached to her ankle while drowning..she felt helpless and alone..so she stopped swimming.
The students should be removed from school.
Just saw the militia interview. The person said Senator Reid is anti-gun. That contridicts his stance. Follow this link:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/27/tea-party-town-harry-reid-helps-open-shooting-park/
@Ron of Key Rest-That is very responsible for you to do but I see you are harping on home owners and their lack of "responsibility" but I do not see you holding our banks to the same standards? Yet the bank bailed them out..and it turns out they make billion dollar profit off it. It serves our country no good to let more foreclosures happen despite the "irresponsibility" of home owners and "irresponsibility" of banks who allowed the mortgages to happen knowing they could not pay it back. Many irresponsible people are being bailed out here. Not just home owners. The banks are just as bad if not worse because they have lawyers who knew better.
I think of this militia as being a cult not a Christian group and they should be treated the same way as the terrorists! They seem to hate our government and law enforcement nearly as much as the terrorists do.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility? She wasn't murdered – she committed suicide. A decision SHE made. Let's ruin other kids lives because an emotionally disturbed child killed herself. Brillant!
Parents also need to be held responsible for this and all bullying situations no matter what the age of the student. As a kindergarten teacher I have students who are bullies at 5 and 6 years old and the parents are making excuses already and are bullies themselves. Teachers have their hands tied if their administration isn't willing to help. Society has made no one responsible any more. and it is only going to get worse.
About the bullying story, that's a no-brainer. The bullies should be prosecuted, given long prison sentences, and held up as examples to other would-be bullies. A child is dead due to their actions. The result shoud be swift, consistent and predictable. To do otherwise is to invite another Columbine. The bullies didn't look so bad when they were hiding under their desks and running for their lives. Bullies of America, think about this: You are not bulletproof!
I'm not happy with all this Bailout of homeowners who are "under water". My home is worth considerably less than what I paid for it, but I'm not "under water" because I put my mortgage first and paid extra on the principal. I sacrificed having toys and taking trips and eating out in order to accomplish this and I DON'T OWE more than my home is worth even though it has delvaluated by 50%.
Melon was probably a bully...
I find it interesting that yesterday I received a 2010 Congressional District Census, commissioned by the RNC. Section 3 and 4 are negative questions about the Obama administration, and clearly are trying to attack Obama.
I feel these people are so out of touch with the American people, and really wish they would just work together to solve Everyones Issue's, not just theirs.
The Last Section was asking for donations to the RNC, will I be able to join them at Voyuers for a show, if I donate?
Wake Up RNC, and Get Along!
@Melon- You obviously never suffered from severe emotional abuse. As a child if a parent does this they can be prosecuted because severe emotional abuse is what causes mental problems. Mental abuse which is what these kids were doing to her is the same if not worse than physical or sexual abuse because the scars last much longer. I suffer from a legitamate mental health disorder due to severe emotional, physical and sexual abuse. It is called Post Truamatic Stress Disorder and it is very real. You are right she suffered mental problems specifically due to these kids inflicting irreparable harm to her mental and she felt she could not get help and had no where to go but suicide to get away from the pain.
Dale – your suggestion of empowering the bystanders is a great one..We as a culture must take action.
2 of the boys are charged with statutory rape in this case, that is beyond bullying! charge them to the fullest extent of the law! the others should pay for their crime of bullying, including the school staff ( teachers and admin) that did nothing to stop the abuse of this girl. my heart goes out to the family, no child should have to endure this abuse at school. we send our children there and expect them to be safe and protected.
This story really makes me mad. It also brings me back to my High School days when I was bullied for a couple of years. I really feel sorry for this girl who killed herself out of the stupidity of the other students. I understand where she was coming from.
I think that holding these kids accountable it is the right thing to do. They were responsible for pushing her into committing suicide. They may not have done it physically, but they did it psychologically.
I say expel them from school, put them in prison and good riddance.
I suggest that there should be a law in place that punishes bullying in someway so this doesn't happen ever again.
Karl rove he not even worht the time to talk about he needs to be in jail with all of them that took us to war in the 1st place
Let me say my sympathy's to the Prince family and yes all 9 need to be tried as adults especially as MA has legislation pending upon this horrendous act. Let's not forgot the adults either, they are to be guides are they not? Phoebe RIP child.
these kids today are out of control
but its our fault we made them like this
parents cant do anything to control them cause they will be throwed in jail
My heart goes out to the family of this young lady, but I also see that the horrible inhumanity of her tormenters is merely a reflection of the hateful mean spiritedness of too many adults such as recent outrages in the Congress by Republicans, so-called teapartiers and the like.
Is it any wonder that the young people are displaying similar attitudes and behaviorsagainst their felllow man/woman?
School administrators MUST stop and take this seriously and stop treating it as "that's just the way they (kids) talk to one another". It's not that teachers don't/won't do anything – I report each incident and I am told by administration that I am just trying to get this child out of my class or I have been told "that's the way they talk to one another" It wasn't until the parent of a student threatened action that the bully was removed from my class and the school. PARENTS – you must talk to your kids and ACT, because it is YOU that hold the key to enforcement of anti-bullying policies..
Karl Rove....when a rock is called a rock and the rock still denies being a rock.
Immigration control= police can take a persons property if persons property proceeds of crime. Take the businesses away from every business person employing illegal immigrants and give the freaking immigrants a break here. One part of the national body giving the incentive for immigrants to cross the border into the United States while another part of the national body complains about the cost of it all. Get a grip of your freaking(national) body and stop doing it to yourself. Like self mutilation and if this cannot be seen it will not be resolved.
Any child that commits suicide because of "bullying" must have severe mental health issues.
Hassan El Mashad, you are the worst person alive. You should be prosecuted just for saying that.
It is really so sad but it goes on so much everywhere. I was bullied for months when I was in high school. The teachers were oblivious because there are just too many kids to keep track of. There is no real system set up nor any kind of support groups in these schools to help kids not feel embarrased to step up and say something to authority figures. We need to get more organized to prevent these things before they begin. Its a little to late now to be proscuting these kids because a life was already lost.
Depending on the involvement of the 9 students they should be charged accordingly, some as adults. The faculty and staff who knew should also have some consequences for not stopping or reporting the bullying, if they just did their job and spoke up then this might have been avoided!
Steele "gettin' jiggy wit it", huh! I guess this incident represents the family values he always touts? This is what the RNC and republicans get when they act disingenuously; bringing him on to match the election of a black president elect, like hiring Palin to capture the female vote!
I think they just got caught with their pants down...er no punt intended. This corruption just keeps getting worse. the repubs have done nothing but stand in the way of progress. We have serious issues in this country and they and flying around in fancy jets, limousines and going to strip clubs.
I think the nine should have to do 1000 hrs of community service but the parents of these nine teenagers should pay restitution to the parents of this young girl. It's obvious that they did not teach them about care for one another and faculty member should be held criminally responsible for not stepping in when these nine verbally and physically abused this girl!
I am so very sorry that this happened. Phoebe's family came here not only to be near relatives but also so Phoebe could experience America.
The faculty should definitely be prosecuted, as well. I hope the judge who hears this case gives every single person involved the harshest possible punishment.
As an American, I would like to apologize to her family and especially Phoebe, herself. Those students and faculty have shamed our nation.
How can a you charge others over a persons action? The only action that has to be taken here is over the family. When a person is being bullyed normaly they would go and complain to either family or teacher or who ever is an elder person. those who have not done any thing about it are responsible about this sucide. this is rediculas. those kids didnt mean to get this situation asculated to this limit. those kids are just kids and they did what any high school kids do. this is life if you cant take it and you quit this is the conclusion.!!!!
Our children born like lumps of clay. We mold them by parenting or the lack of, schooling or the lack of and the freaking schoolyard that follows and influences our lives. That schoolyard and those within caused that girl to take her life and she is not the first is she nor will she be the last. and that is another sad state of affairs when dealing with our failing educational system.
I think it is very sad. I was under the impression that this type of behavior was looked down upon by a more intelligent youth culture.
Besides going to jail, they should be forced to wear large tshirts with Pheobe's picture and bold letters saying "I caused this woman's death."
Let them taste some of the humiliation they put onto Pheobe.
The teachers and officials who looked the other way should be harshly and publicly punished to make an example to other so-called professionals.
The post powerful force in stopping bullying is not to empower the victim or punish the bully. The most powerful force of change is to empower the bystanders. As a School Counselor and educator for over 20 years it has been my experience that when bystanders get involved bullying stops. Students, teachers and administrators have to create an atmosphere where bullying is not tolerated. Bullies have to be held accountable, victims helped and by standers supported not called tattletales
Bullyng is a problem in most schools but the lack of social workers and overburdened staff causes them to look the other way. Lack of parental supervision after school leads to online and cell bullying as well. Many kids get off the bus to an older sibling but no adult supervision. Kids should be protected when in a public tax payer funded building. There should be zero tolerance. Bullies should have to be home schooled until they conform to rules.
This town in Mass. must be a "small town" – we moved from a big city to a small town – my child endured the same abuse. It was horrible to see, to hear, there is no comfort for these kids. The school administration did nothing to help, nor to protect my child. Most of the times they pretended to not have "witnessed" the incidents. When the families were contacted – of the bullies – they said it was my child's fault, calling my child "an easy target."
I finally went to the police. I filed a complaint against the school.
They addressed it with the administration, parents and the entire school through an assembly. It stopped.
But the damage and the pain, and the emotional hurt will never be removed from my child's heart.
These kids should be punished to the fullest extent, and they should be made examples – so future bullies can see where they'll end up!
I was bullied in high school when I was 15. That was 20 yrs. ago, and the major difference between now and then is it seems the school faculty and administrators don't seem to care anymore. It's a sad day in America when a school cancels a prom because a lesbian student can't wear a tuxedo and an entire district can't stop the excessive torture of a young girl from Ireland, leading to her suicide. Those Students Should be punished to the fullest extent of the law and sent away for a long time. Maybe then they will learn.
I believe it is wrong to prosecute people for another person's suicide. Yes, those people did a bad thing, yes they should be held accountable for their actions, but to lock them up because a person they were unkind to killed herself is wrong. It was not their choice for her to hang herself! and frankly I don't believe that there should be any law where you can be locked up for the actions of another person.
I think by all accounts the students should be charged. How ever I think the staff of that school who knew this was going on should also be charged as well. They are just a guilty as the students.
The students that had any part in the bulling should be tried as adults. Just not the 3 of them but all 9 of them.